Chapter Twenty-Nine: Calamity Approaches (Part One)

Zheng Yanqing failed to notice a crucial matter—he overlooked the hierarchy of status within the aristocratic clans. When Zheng Hongyi addressed him as "elder brother," Zheng Yanqing did not pay it much mind. Yet little did he know that this would transgress a fundamental boundary of the noble families, landing him in a predicament.

To these houses, servants were mere appendages, people of low birth. How could Zheng Yanqing, a mere house servant, be worthy of Zheng Hongyi’s address as "elder brother"? Such behavior was an outrageous breach of propriety—almost a capital offense. No matter how well he taught Zheng Hongyi, a servant remained a servant; one could never cross that line.

Busy with the trifles surrounding him, Yanqing had not realized he was on the brink of a crisis that bordered on calamity. He was still occupied with writing his "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." With Li Ji’s help, he had completed the chapter about Mengde presenting the dagger, and had begun preparing for the stories of Dong Zhuo’s entry into the capital and the three heroes’ battle with Lü Bu at Hulao Pass... He had not known how difficult it would be to write a novel until now. Even with a clear plan in mind, the process remained arduous. Thankfully, with Li Ji assisting him, many obstacles were avoided.

Yanqing often felt Li Ji’s concern for him exceeded the usual bounds of a teacher-student relationship. What was the reason? Yanqing could not guess, but he knew Li Ji genuinely cared for him.

While other students were still learning the basics, Yanqing had already moved past the initial stage and begun studying simple classics and histories. Normally, works like the Four Books and Five Classics were introduced only after formal schooling commenced. Village schools provided basic education, and after the age of fourteen, if one performed well, he would be recommended to an official school for further education.

Yanqing was only six, yet already studying the classics. Were he born into a noble family, his reputation would have spread far and wide. But he could not be overt; even in his studies, he had to be discreet, never displaying his aptitude openly.

"Yanqing, did you get into a fight recently?" Li Ji asked.

Yanqing paused, recalling his earlier scuffle with Dou Xiaowen and the others, then nodded. "I was reckless, sir. I did indeed get into a fight a few days ago."

"Oh, that explains it," Li Ji smiled. "Just the other day, a teacher from the Middle Hall inquired about you, saying you’d beaten one of his students... Do not worry, that student is notoriously unruly. His teacher has long been troubled by him. After you gave him a lesson, he’s become much more obedient. Recently, he even asked his teacher about the story of Cao Gui discussing warfare."

"Are you speaking of Dou Xiaowen, sir?" Yanqing asked.

"Precisely!" Li Ji’s eyes reflected a hint of surprise. "But I didn’t know you were familiar with the tale of Cao Gui discussing warfare?"

"I know a little, sir. Our family’s master enjoys reading the Spring and Autumn Annals. When I served him in Anyuan Hall, I often heard him recite those passages, so I remember a bit. That day, when I reprimanded Dou Xiaowen, I was merely angry, and couldn’t help but give him a lesson. I am sorry to have troubled you."

"No trouble at all!" Li Ji laughed heartily, ruffling Yanqing’s hair. "It is said that to teach a worthy talent is a joy. Your ability to remember what you hear and apply it is a delight for me. You don’t know—the teacher from the Middle Hall was astonished when he told me about it. When I said you were from the Zheng family, he envied you greatly.

You are a fine child... Sometimes, though, you are so composed, it seems you are older than I am."

Yanqing was startled, looking at Li Ji.

"Look at you—never showing your emotions, like an old man. When I was your age, if the teacher praised me, I would have been elated. But you—I can’t even tell if you are happy or not."

If you were older, this temperament would be commendable. But you’re still just a child. Laugh when you should laugh, cry when you should cry; don’t keep everything bottled up inside, it’s not good for you."

Yanqing quickly bowed. "I am grateful for your guidance, sir!"

"Enough, enough. I just mentioned this, and you’re back to your old ways," Li Ji said, tidying up the lecture notes and handing them to Yanqing.

"I must pay respects to an elder tonight, so I won’t keep you. Take these notes home and ponder them well. By the way, how much of your novel have you written?"

"Nearly ten thousand words," Yanqing replied.

"Bring it to me later. If there are no major revisions needed, we’ll circulate it and create some momentum."

"Ah!" Yanqing was caught off guard.

He had thought it best to release the Romance of the Three Kingdoms only after finishing the Three Heroes’ battle with Lü Bu, as that was a climactic point. But Li Ji wanted it published now, and to stir up attention? Yanqing wanted to refuse, but swallowed his words.

Well, since Li Ji will review it, it won’t be published immediately. He would have time to finish the current chapters. With this in mind, Yanqing agreed, packed up the lecture notes, bowed again, and left the room.

As for which elder Li Ji was visiting, Yanqing had no interest. There were many famous scholars in Luoyang, but Yanqing knew few of their names. Whoever Li Ji visited, he likely wouldn't know them anyway, so there was no point in asking. He first returned to the classroom to tidy up, then headed back to the estate.

He arrived home early. To his surprise, he met a familiar face at the gate.

"Little Eight, what are you doing here?"

Mao Xiaoba, upon seeing Yanqing, appeared nervous and quickly said, "I came to see Steward Zheng... Since he’s not here, I’ll go back now."

In recent days, Zheng Shian had rarely been at the estate. He often went to Tianjin Bridge to observe the situation at Xiong Da Hammer’s workshop. Since Yanqing had designed the scissors and asked Xiong Da Hammer to make a hundred pairs first, Zheng Shian’s interest was piqued. Though skeptical that such a small contraption could change the situation at Tianjin Bridge, he nonetheless had hope. He knew Yanqing was clever and had already surprised him many times. Could these little scissors bring another surprise? Zheng Shian was eager to find out, so he devoted extra attention to the matter.

Yanqing did not notice Xiaoba’s unusual demeanor and said, "Grandfather may have gone into town. If you have anything to say, tell me, and I’ll pass it on when he returns."

"Oh... it's nothing important. Maybe I’ll come back when Steward Zheng returns. Yanqing, are you just back from school? Have you eaten yet?"

Yanqing smiled, "Not yet. I’ll wait for Grandfather, and we’ll eat together."

"Well, I have matters at home, so I’ll leave now."

Mao Xiaoba hurried off, and Yanqing did not try to stop him. He did not have much contact with Xiaoba, and since starting school after moving to the estate, they had little friendship. Why was Xiaoba so flustered today? Yanqing shook his head, pushed open the gate, and went inside.

Meanwhile, Mao Xiaoba rushed outside the estate and into a sparse grove, where two men were waiting anxiously.

"Xiaoba, did you finish the task?" asked the older man, about forty, the estate’s manager and Xiaoba’s brother-in-law.

Beside him stood a young man, none other than Cui Daolin’s only son, Cui Sheng.

Xiaoba’s face flushed as he stammered, "It’s done."

"Where did you put it?"

"On the shelf in Zheng Yanqing’s room, second from the bottom."

Cui Sheng’s face broke into a broad smile. He nodded repeatedly, "Manager Lü, well done... Heh, if this succeeds, you’ll soon be the estate’s steward. Congratulations!"

"All thanks to Steward Cui’s support. I am happy to serve you," Manager Lü said, bowing with a smile.

He had once been the estate’s steward, with over a hundred households under his authority. But since Zheng Shian arrived, Lü’s status had dropped. Even if Zheng Shian lacked Zheng Renji’s trust, he was from Anyuan Hall, and his surname alone set him above Lü. Lü’s power had waned.

Whether he could rise again depended on this moment! Manager Lü resolved inwardly, smiling obsequiously. "Young master Cui, when will you act?"

"That’s not your concern. Just do your part and don’t arouse suspicion."

"I understand, I understand."

Cui Sheng’s air was arrogant. "I’ll go back and report now. Remember, don’t let anything slip."

Manager Lü nodded, bowing as Cui Sheng departed.

As for Mao Xiaoba, Lü cared not. Xiaoba remained in the grove, anxious. After Cui Sheng and Lü left, he looked around, took a cloth bundle from his pocket, swallowed nervously, and dashed out of the grove.

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Another update coming at dawn!
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